Real Madrid's lead over Barcelona shrinks

• by Soccer America , Feb 25, 2008

Last year it was Barcelona that blew a big lead, allowing to Real Madrid to overtake it and capture La Liga title. This year it's Real Madrid that's in danger of collapsing.

On Sunday, Real Madrid lost to Madrid club Getafe, 1-0, at home, reducing its lead over Barcelona, a 5-1 winner over Levante, to two points from eight just a week ago.

Ikechukwu Uche's goal gave Getafe the win over a very nervous-looking Real Madrid. The result ended Madrid's perfect record at home in league play this season.

Samuel Eto'o's hat trick paced Barcelona, which had won earlier on Sunday. Argentine Lionel Messi added one goal and set up two more.

ENGLAND. Spanish manager Juande Ramos, who won five cups at Sevilla, needed only five months to win his first cup title at Tottenham. Spurs edged defending champion Chelsea, 2-1, to win the English League Cup title on Sunday. Recent signee Jonathan Woodgate scored the winning goal in overtime. Arsenal's lead over Manchester United in the Premier League was reduced to three points when Birmingham tied the Gunners, 2-2, and United crushed, Newcastle, 5-1.

FRANCE. Brazilian Fred scored twice to give six-time champion Lyon a 2-0 win over last-place Metz and increase its lead in Ligue 1 to three points over Bordeaux. Visiting Lille held Bordeaux to a 0-0 tie.

GERMANY. Ze Roberto's goal six minutes from time gave Bayern Munich a 1-1 tie at home against Hamburg and stretched its lead over second-place Werder Bremen to four points. Werder Bremen fell, 1-0, at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

ITALY. Roma beat Fiorentina, 1-0, on Brazilian Cicinho's goal to move to within nine points of leader Inter Milan. Inter needed a diving header from Argentine Hernan Crespo to salvage a 1-1 draw at Sampdoria and remain unbeaten this season. Its only loss in its last 64 games was to Roma last April.